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All this week Metro Cafe is giving away tickets to see new ‘undersoul’ singing sensation Baz at the Hanover Grand on Monday, March 18th. Coinciding with the release of her new single ‘Smile to Shine’ the gig is first of a new night at the Hanover Grand – Metro Live, and will feature support from DJ Kaos and Dave Angel.

You can hear Baz’s new single Smile to Shine by clicking on the appropriate link below:

Real TimeWindows Media Player Watch the Smile to Shine video:

Real Time For your chance to get your hands on a pair of tickets to see Baz click here. The winners will be notified by email and their names will be added to the guestlist.

Baz – a star for the future

Hailing from South London, Baz lit up the world with her debut Top 40 hit single, ‘Believers’, in December 2001. Her wide range and breadth of musical influences and vision mark Baz out instantly as an artist set to travel way beyond her homeland.

“Mine is universal music, it’s for everyone,” she says.

Baz proves that being a black artist doesn’t mean always being channelled into R&B. ‘Believers’ was her mission statement, a moving song about perseverance and faith. Baz has always stayed true to her vision, self-belief and musical destiny, “I’ve never given up on anything. This is my path.”

She describes her second single ‘Smile to Shine’ as, “a song inspired by the sun, the intense feeling of appreciating the inner life.” “It’s a real feel good tune guaranteed to make you just that little bit happier for being alive.”

Baz’s musical lineage is unquestionable. Her father Basil Gooden was a jazz musician, while her brother is the renowned DJ/producer Dave Angel, and her sister is rap artist Monie Love (described by Trevor Nelson as ‘the only female rap star this country’s ever produced’).

Baz has been fired by music since she was seven years old and her father (who died when she was 15) acted as a teacher and mentor. “I always wanted to sing, and he was my inspiration,” she says. Listening to records by artists like Carole King and Marvin Gaye, these stars opened up her world. “I was blown away by the purity of their voices” she says. Baz’s influences range from Stevie Wonder (“his vision is so intense”), to Kate Bush. (“her music is bizarre, totally twisted; she stands on her own”), and John Lennon (“his songs hurt, they get under your skin”) She also likes current organic soul priestesses like Jill Scott and Sunshine Anderson, for “their vibe and the strength of their songs.”

Despite these strong influences Baz has found her own voice, the voice of ‘undersoul’ – passionate soulful pop underscored by hip-hop beats and grainy grooves.

“I call my music ‘undersoul’ because it’s my emotions, my thoughts, my feelings, mixed into a unique sound,” she says. “All of the tracks are facts even if I’m writing about another person’s pain or gain, it’s never fiction – it’s always real. I’m very autobiographical, if something plays on my mind I tend to make a song out of it.”

Baz has recenlty completed her currently completed her debut album ‘Psychedelic Love’ which is due out in May. It’s littered with sing-a-long vocals, positivism, sheer sunshine and warmth. Baz is determined that these great songs will find a place in everyone’s heart.

Metro Live

Metro Live is a new showcase night at the Hanover Grand where new, up-and-coming alternative, indie or non-mainstream singers and groups will be given the stage for a night. Details of the forth-coming gigs will always be posted on Metro Cafe so watch this space.